Printing machine



July 16, 1935.

J..KRELL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 16, 1935.

J. KRELL 2,008,358

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12. 955 3 sheets-sheet 2 k V July 16, 1935. .J. KRELL PRINTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 12, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet Z5 Patented July 16, 1935 ,tlNlTED STATES lPRINTING MACHINE Joseph Krell, Berlin-Zehlendorf, Germany Application February 12, 1935, Serial No. 6,232 lln Germany February 27, 1934 14 Claims. (01. 101-54) My invention relates to printing machines which may be used for ofiice work, and other purposes. More particularly, it relates to printing machines equipped with a principal rotary printing unit, and with an auxiliary printing "mechanism, as described in my prior patent of the Jnited States, No. 1,952,551, March 2'7, 1934, for Combined printing and. addressing machines".

The auxiliary printing means, or mechanism,

30 includes a set of auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with the impression cylinder of the principal unit, to print additional matter to the text printed on the sheets by the printing cylinder of the principal unit. The auxiliary print- 15 ing cylinders of the mechanism are arranged side by side and are shiftable in parallel relation to the axis of the impression cylinder. By this arrangement, the auxiliary mechanism is subdivided into several printing units, each with an auxiliary printing cylinder. Means are provided for fixing the units in any position into which they may have been shifted. The auxiliary printing cylinders of the units are rotated in unison by a driving shaft which is mounted to rotate in fixed bearings and is driven by means such as a spur gear from the impression cylinder. I

Auxiliary printing mechanisms as designed heretofore have the drawback that while their units are adapted to be displaced or shifted individually, the distance of the type on the auxiliary printing cylinders in the units from the axis of the impression cylinder can be regulated only collectively. This collective regulation or adjustment is unsatisfactory because the distance 3.; is not always exactly equal for each unit.

It is an object of my invention to eliminate the aforesaid drawback of the old auxiliary mechanisms.

'To this end, I provide, in combination with the principal rotary unit, means, normally a driving shaft, for rotating the auxiliary printing cylinders of the units in unison, means, for instance, a screw for each unit, for individually regulating the distance, and means adapted to perform the function of a universal joint for operatively connecting each cylinder to the driving shaft in all positions the regulating means impart to the cylinders.

In the manner described, each auxiliary printing cylinder in its unit is adjusted individually and independently of the other units.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the driving shaft for the units of the auxiliary mechanism extends through the principal frame of the mechanism from one end plate to the other.

About this driving shaft I mount the auxiliary printing cylinders of the units with a central clearance, i. e., with a central hole in each cylinder whose inside diameter is larger than the diameter of the driving shaft, so that the move- 5 ment of the auxiliary cylinders for adjusting or regulating the distance is not interfered with by the shaft. The clutching means referred to holds the auxiliary cylinders and the driving shaft engaged in all positions of the cylinders with re- 10 spect to the shaft.

Each auxiliary printing cylinder has two shrouds which are mounted to rotate on sleeves projecting inwardly from the two end plates of a subsidiary frame in each unit. The shrouds and sleeves possess the central clearance referred to. Power is transmitted to the auxiliary printing cylinders in the subsidiary frames of each unit from the driving shaft by a block which is secured against rotation on the shaft, and is ini serted between the shrouds of each auxiliary printing cylinder. The clutching means is operatively connected to the block. This arrangement has the advantage that the blocks and clutching means are housed and protected with- 25 in the corresponding auxiliary printing cylinder, and do not require extra space at the sides of the cylinders or units. The thickness of the blocks is preferably equal to the distance between the shrouds of the cylinders, and the means for securing the blocks against rotation is a set screw which is reset after the block has been shifted on the driving shaft.

In the accompanying drawings, a portion" of a printing machine to which my novel auxiliary 35 mechanism, with three units, has been applied, is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a partly sectional end elevation showing the printing and impression cylinders of the rotary unit, and the auxiliary printing mechanism,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism, viewed in the direction of arrows II--II in Fig. 1, drawn to a larger scale, and partly shown in axial section, and

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sections on the line III-III in Fig. 2, showing, respectively, the position in which the distance is a minimum for the auxiliary printing cylinder of the central unit, the position in which it is a maximum, (exaggerated), and the position after it has been turned through 90 dogs. from the last-mentioned position.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figs.

1 and 2, the machine has a table I. H0 are uprights.

uprights on the table which support the cylinders of the principal rotary unit. I is the printing cylinder, on a shaft III in the uprights, and 4 is the impression cylinder, also on a shaft 6 in the Rotation is imparted to the shaft 6 by any suitable means such as a pulley or sprocket 66, and a belt or chain 61.

31 is the type holder of the printing cylinder I. The cylinder is provided with inking means which have been omitted but are shown in my said prior patent. 4 is a segment on the impression cylinder 4. The two cylinders, or rather their segments, are of equal diameter and are connected by spur gears 8 and 9 so as to rotate at the same velocity.

The auxiliary printing mechanism is designated by the letter A. It serves for printing any additional matter, text, numerals, etc., on the sheets which are fed past its auxiliary printing cylinders 26 as the impression cylinder 4 rotates in the direction of the arrow.

- The mechanism A is supported by a principal frame comprising a pair of vertical end plates II,

and two stays I2 and I3. If desired, more stays or other bracing means, not shown, may be provided. The end plates II are notched at their lower ends and placed on a bar I4 between the uprights with their notches. Their upper ends are supported by hooks I5. By' these means, the mechanism isreadily inserted and removed.

The auxiliary printing mechanism is subdivided into three units, 1), c, and d, Fig. 2, each with an auxiliary printing cylinder 26, and an inking cylinder I! which may be of-felt. Each cylinder is provided with a type holder or segment I6, Fig. 3, and type 21. It is understood that the printing units may also be equipped with numbering devices, of known kind, or with printing devices connected to inking apparatus for letterpress printing which apparatus are operatedpositively by the segments I6 of the cylinders 26.

The individual units b, c, and d are shiftably mounted between the end plates II of the principal frame, and are shifted in parallel relation to the axis of shaft 6. Blocks 33 are provided for each unit, and equipped with set screws 34, for fixing the units after they have been shifted, as will be described in detail below.

A driving shaft l8 for all units is mounted to rotate in the end plates I I of the principal frame, and equipped with a spur gear I9 which meshes with the spur gear 8 on the impression-cylinder shaft 6.

Each unit is equipped with a subsidiary frame, with two end plates 2I, whichare connectedi'by stays 22 and 22'. Each end plate supports a flanged sleeve 23' whose bore 23, being of appreciably larger inside diameter than the diameter ofthe driving shaft I8, provides for the central clearance referred to. Shrouds 24, 24', are mounted to rotate on the inner ends of the sleeves 23', and spaced from the .end plates 2! of the subsidiary frames by the flanges of the sleeves 23'. The shrouds 24 and 24' are connected by a bridge 25, as best seen in Fig. 3, and on this bridge the barrel 26 of the auxiliary printing cylinder is mounted. It will be understood that each auxiliary cylinder is built up into a rigid unit from the parts 24, 24', 25, 26, I6 and2IT The inking cylinders H are rotated by friction from the corresponding printing cylinder 26. The shaft III of each inking cylinder I1 is mounted to rotate in a pair of slides H8 to whose lower ends springs '9 are attached.

The subsidiary frames of the units, each with a printing cylinder 26 and an inking cylinder I1, are mounted to slide on, and to oscillate about. the stay I2 of the principal frame II. A screw 28 is mounted to rotate in a bore at the centre of each stay 22'. At itsouter end, the screw is provided with a knurled handle 29, and its inner end engages in a nut 30 which is mounted to slide on the stay I3 of the principal frame II. A coiled spring 3I is inserted between the nut 38 and the stay 22', and tends to oscillate the subsidiary frame about the stay I2 in the direction of the arrow 32, Fig. 3. The movement in this direction, however, is limited by the handle 29. The further thescrew 28 is screwed into the nut 30, the nearer is the subsidiary frame, with the auxiliary printing cylinder, moved to the axis of the impression cylinder 4. The movement of the subsidiary frames is limited in both directions by the central clearance 23 provided for the driving shaft I8. Fig. 3 shows the position of the subsidiary frame in which the distance of the type 21 on the cylinder 26 from the axis of shaft 6 is a minimum, 1. e., the type 21 engages the segment 4' of the impression cylinder 4. The central clearance 23 is almost exhausted at its outer side. In the positions illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 which differ only in that the auxiliary printing spring 3I holds the inner side of the central.

clearance 23 against the driving shaft I8, and

further movement of the subsidiary frame in outward direction is prevented. The distance between the type 21 and the segment 4 has been exaggerated in Figs. 4 and 5.

By means of its screw 28, the distance can be regulated for each unit individually and independently of the other units, and the pressure exerted against the segment by the type 21 is also regulated individually and independently.

The block 33, as best seen in the units b and c in Fig. 2, whose position corresponds, respectively, to Figs. 5 and 4, is a substantially rectangular member which is shiftably mounted on the driving shaft I8 and is secured in a given position on the driving shaft bythe set screw 34. The head of the screw 34 enters a comparatively large'hole in the bridge 25. 1

The clutching means or universal joint, by which power is transmitted to the cylinders 26 from the corresponding blocks 33, will now be described. At the end which faces the s spud 24, the block 33 is provided with two diametrically opposite lugs 39. The lugs 39 engage in a pair of notches 31 in a disk 36 which is inserted between the block and the boss of] the shroud 24, and is arranged to float with respect to the driving shaft I8. The inside diameter of the disk is equal to the central clearance 23. Projecting inwardly from the shroud 24 are a pair of diametrically opposite lugs 48 which engage in a pair of notches 38 in the disk 36, at right angles to the notches 31.

As mentioned, the width of the block 33 from its plain face at the left in Fig. 2, to the ends of lugs 39, is equal to the distance between the bosses of the shrouds 24 and 24'. The width of its body is reduced for the length of disk 36, so that the subsidiary frames and their auxiliary printing cylinders are held against relative longitudinal displacement with respect to the block 33.

When the driving shaft I8 rotates, the several blocks 33 of the units, through lugs 39, disk 36, and lugs 40, transmit its rotation to the auxiliary printing cylinders, and the operative connection of the shaft and the cylinders is not interfered with by the relative position of the axes of the.

cylinders, and the axis of shaft I8. The axes are shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Notwithstanding the eccentric relative position of the axes, the auxiliary printing cylinders are driven rather uniformly by the driving shaft l8, since the connection between the shaft and the cylinders is similar to a universal joint, the lugs 39 and 40 varying their relative position in their slots during every revolution, as will be understood by comparing Figs. 4 and 5.

I claim:

1. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, means for rotating said auxiliary printing cylinders in unison, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said means for rotating them, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving means.

2. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said driving shaft, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft.

3. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said driving shaft, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft.

4. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, means operatively connected to said unit for rotating said driving shaft, an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said driving shaft, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft.

5. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds" said driving shaft in spaced relation, and being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, shiftable means on said driving shaft foroperative-ly connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said driving shaft, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft, and means for fixing said shiftable means in various positions on said driving shaft.

6. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a. printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, and being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, a block for each auxiliary printing cylinder mounted to be shifted on said driving shaft, clutching means for operatively connecting each block to its cylinder, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft, and means for fixing said blocks in various positions on said driving shaft.

'7. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, and being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printiig cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, a block for each auxiliary printing cylinder mounted to be shifted on said driving shaft, clutching means arranged to float with respect to said blocks and cylinders for operatively connecting each block to its cylinder, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft, and means for fixing said blocks in various positions on said driving shaft.

8. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, and being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis 'of said impression cylinder, a block for each auxiliary printing cylinder mounted to be shifted on said driving shaft, lugs on each block, lugs on each auxiliary printing cylinder, a floating notched disk operatively connecting each block to its cylinder through said lugs, and means for fixing said blocks in various positions on said driving shaft.

9. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted torotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including hollow auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, each hollow cylinder having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, and being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, a block housed in each hollow cylinder and mounted to be shifted on said driving shaft, clutching means, also housed in each hollow cylinder, for connecting each block to its cylinder, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft, and means for fixing said blocks in various positions on said driving shaft.

10. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including hollow auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impres sion cylinder, a. pair of shrouds, each having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving-shaft in spaced relation, a bridge connecting said shrouds, and a barrel mounted on said bridge, forming part of each hollow auxiliary printing cylinder, said shrouds being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the type on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impres- -sion cylinder, a block inserted between said shrouds in each hollow cylinder and mounted to be shifted on said driving shaft, clutching means, also housed in each hollow cylinder between its block and one of its shrouds, for connecting each block to its cylinder, inall relative positions of said cylinders and said driving shaft, and means for fixing said blocks in various positions on said driving shaft.

11. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; a driving shaft mounted to rotate in a fixed position, an auxiliary printing mechanism including hollow auxiliary printing cylinders for cooperation with said impression cylinder, a pair of shrouds, each having a central clearance with which it surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation, a bridge connecting said shrouds, and a barrel mounted on said bridge, forming part of each hollow auxiliary printing cylinder, said shrouds being arranged to be shifted along said driving shaft, means for individually and independently regulating the distance of the types on each auxiliary printing cylinder from the axis of said impression cylinder, 9. block inserted between said shrouds in each hollow cylinder and mounted to be shifted on said driving shaft, diametrically opposite lugs on one sideof said block, diametrically opposite lugs on the corresponding shroud, a disk having radial notches for the reception of the lugs on the block, radial notches at right angles to the first-mentioned notches for the reception of the lugs on the shroud, and a central clearance with which the disk surrounds said driving shaft in spaced relation; and means for fixing said blocks in various positions on said driving shaft.

12. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; an auxiliary printing mechanism including a principal. frame, a stay in said frame, subsidiary frames mounted for shifting and oscillating movement on said stay, an auxiliary printing cylinder mounted to rotate in each subsidiary frame for cooperation with said impression cylinder, means for rotating said auxiliary printing cylinders in unison, means operatively connected to each subsidiary frame for oscillating it about said stay, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said means for rotating them, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving means.

13. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printing unit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; .an auxiliary printing mechanism including a principal frame, a stay in said frame, subsidiary frames mounted for shifting and oscillating movement on said stay, an auxiliary printing cylinder mounted to rotate in each subsidiary frame, for cooperation with said impression cylinder, means for rotating said auxiliary printing cylinders in unison, a nut anchored on each subsidiary frame, a screw anchored on the principal frame and engaging said nut, means for turning said screw, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said means for rotating them, in

' all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving means.

14. In a printing machine, a rotary principal printingunit comprising a printing cylinder and an impression cylinder; an auxiliary printing mechanism including a principal frame, a stay in said frame, subsidiary frames mounted for shifting and oscillating movement on said stay, an auxiliary printing cylinder mounted to rotate in each subsidiary frame for cooperation with said impression cylinder, means for rotating said auxiliary printing cylinders in unison, a nut anchored on each subsidiary frame, a screw anchored on the principal frame, and engaging said nut, a spring inserted between said nut and the point where the screw is anchored on the principal frame, so as to be compressed when the screw is screwed into the nut, means for turning said screw, and means for operatively connecting said auxiliary printing cylinders to said means for rotating them, in all relative positions of said cylinders and said driving means.

JOSEPH 

